Peer Reviewed

Peer-Reviewed

Abstract

Aims: Examine the growth and diffusion of research on the concept of nurse rounding and provide definitional clarity on forms of nurse rounding.Methods: Bibliometric and content analysis of primary research on nurse rounding were used to map development of the field. Manuscripts were identified from a keyword search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases for the period 2000 to 2015. Titles, country of origin, and year of publication along with details on the characteristics and sample of each study were coded on a database. Content analyses were performed on the coded data to derive a taxonomic understanding and identify publication trends.Results: Thirty-eight primary research studies were identified. Overall, there has been an increase in the number and diversity of studies on nursing rounding. A typology of 4 variants of nurse rounding was devised to enhance clarity and enable comparative analysis.Conclusion: There has been continued interest in nurse rounding and its potential benefits. However, poor definitional clarity is evident in this body of research, with various label used interchangeably in studies reporting similar rounding designs. The field would benefit from improved conceptual clarity and investigation into forms of nurse rounding that remain largely unexamined.